Panic Buying due to Cornavirus Pandemic

bgardner wrote:Canning supplies and Mason jars will be next, once people start getting vegetables. In addition, some of the companies that make them have staff reductions and aren't producing as many jars as they did previously (e.g. Weck). Weck, Anchor Hocking, and others are out of stock on popular items, such as 32 oz. jars (especially wide mouth). If you want to can this year, buy what you need now. Since I'm dramatically increasing production in 2020 (retired in October, and have the time), I've been buying a box of Mason jars every time I see them in a store. In the US, Target and Michaels are a good source, but it will fall off soon. 

I can't wait to put away marinara from my fresh San Marzanos for the fall/winter!

Brian

I was at Home Depot yesterday and noticed the seed shelves are fully stocked. This is the time to buy or order seeds, gardening supplies and food preservation supplies. As SFG gardeners, we don't use as many seeds as row gardeners, but some seeds are are only good for a couple years, while others can last for years with good storage. Here are 2 sites I have had good luck buying Ball lids and coarse vermiculite.

https://goodsstores.com/collections/canning-supplies-mixes?page=3

https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/ProductDisplay?mfPartNumber=115993

OhioGardener wrote:Was at the local Wally World yesterday, and they had the shelves fully stocked with Ball canning lids, bands with lids, and jars.  Anyone planning doing canning this fall might want to check their local Wall-Mart to stock up with supplies.  We have ours...

same here!

My DIL bought me a life time supply at Walmart for Christmas. Yes, buy summer supplies now. Seeds, canning supplies, trellis netting, E-Z Straw or bedding straw for mulch, irrigation materials, etc.

As has already been reported, coarse and extra coarse vermiculite for making Mel's Mix is in very short supply. One of our members, PVPInd gave us an update on the supplies in another thread. https://squarefoot.forumotion.com/t22121p50-need-vermiculite

The SFG Foundation has issued the following temporary recommendation for those who simply cannot find coarse or extra coarse vermiculite.

TEMPORARY RECOMMENDATION FOR 2022 per 6" OF MEL'S MIX: If coarse or X-coarse Vermiculite cannot be found, make Mel's Mix of 1/3 fluffed peat moss and 2/3 blend composts. Next spring, when some of the compost has been "consumed" add only 2" of coarse or extra coarse vermiculite and mix well. There will still be enough compost left over for the second year of growing. For the 3rd spring, it's back to the usual instruction of adding only blended compost to bring the height back up to where it started.

Fine or medium vermiculite, usually sold in smaller 8 quart sized bags, can be used to make seedling MM for starting your seeds.

I need to fill several new raised beds and the only vermiculite I can find in bulk is medium.  Is this too small to use in Mel's mix instead of the course?

No. Medium is too small. It's good for starting seeds, though. One small 8 quart bag of medium is all you would need for a seedling mix.

At this time, The SFG Foundation is recommending making an emergency Mel's Mix of 1/3 fluffed peat moss and 2/3 blended real composts. In the fall or spring, you will then add 2" of coarse or super coarse vermiculite and ZERO blended composts. (This is per 6" of Mel's Mix. There should be enough compost left until fall 2023/spring 2024. You will know when you have to add more blended real composts when the MM with the added vermiculite drops in height.)

I did a quick search. It looks like A M Leonard, Growers Supply, and another place won't have any to ship until April or so.

Call Uline tomorrow to see if they have Grade 4 in stock. What they call Grade 4 will work. You do have to buy a minimum of 2 bags of 4 cu. ft. but that will give you up to 48 sq ft of raised beds at 6" of MM. https://www.uline.com/Product/Detail/S-3393/Vermiculite/Vermiculite-Grade-4-4-Cu-Ft-Bag

It looks like Farm Tek may have Super Coarse which will work. https://www.farmtek.com/farm/supplies/prod1;ft_hydroponic_supplies-ft_hydroponic_growing_mediums;pgsrf35284.html

I found this on eBay. Do contact the vendor before ordering, though, especially regarding if it is in stock and how it will be packaged safely for shipping. https://www.ebay.com/itm/153924058149?epid=9031742028&hash=item23d696bc25:g:HKoAAOSwQOpetbWw

Thank you very much for all your help!

I called Uline and they have the 4 cf bags of grade 4 vermiculite.  They have a limit of 10 bags per customer.  The cost is approx. $35/bag (for 5 or more bags) and the shipping will be about $9.50/bag for me.  So, it's still cheaper than any of the other places I've seen online.  
Thank you again for your help!

Sue V, I'm so glad it worked out for you.

I will call Uline tomorrow and see how many 4 cu ft bags of Grade 4 they have.

That's a good price. About 2 weeks ago, I bought some half pints at Ace Hardware and they were $15-16 with tax. I'm still seeing a bit of seed shortage for some varieties, but there are still seeds in the stores.

I need some lids and tops, and smaller jars…I’m glad it’s easing up!